About the Author

Danielle Ofri, MD, PhD, is an associate professor of medicine at the New York University School of Medicine and has cared for patients at New York's Bellevue Hospital for more than two decades. Writing in the Guardian, Andrew Solomon singled out Ofri as the only woman among an extraordinary new generation of doctor writers, saying, "Ofri has produced four impressive books and numerous articles, all striking for their reversion to empathy, their willingness to sense not only the physical life of a patient, but also the emotional." Ofri's books and articles have become academic staples in medical schools, universities and residency programs. She is the editor in chief of the Bellevue Literary Review and writes regularly for the New York Times. Ofri in New York City. From the Hardcover edition.

Reviews

"Taut, vivid prose. . . . She writes for a lay audience with a practiced hand." --New York Times In her lucid and passionate explanations of the important role that emotions play in the practice of medicine and in healing and health, Danielle Ofri tells stories of great importance to both doctors and patients." --Perri Klass, author of Treatment Kind and Fair "An invaluable guide for doctors and patients." --Kirkus Reviews "Insightful and invigorating...makes the case that it's better for patients if a physician's emotional compass-needle points in a positive direction." --Booklist, starred review
A fascinating journey into the heart and mind of a physician struggling to do the best for her patients while navigating an imperfect health care system." --Boston Globe

"Ofri gives voice and color to the heartbreak, stress, and joy that attends medical practice." --Library Journal "A fabulous read." --Greater Good Essential reading in Medical HumanitiesShe weaves together personal anecdotes and medical learning in a compelling account of her medical decisions and reflections. Highly recommended.--Sara van den Berg, Professor of English, Saint Louis University Dr. Ofri's real-life experiences can be incorporated into a variety of health science curricula bringing course theory together with practical application. Readers gain critical insight into why applying theory in the practice of medicine requires empathy for the physicians.--Christine Whittrock, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Temple University Part of medical education now is not only core competencies from a factual standpoint but also a social standpoint. Dr. Ofri has a way of communicating those lessons in a clear a cogent and very personal fashion.--Beth Dollinger M.D., Arnot Ogden Medical Center "The perfect book for my teaching on the subject of lack of empathy in medical school students.--James Asa Shield, Jr., MD, Professor, Chairman, Department of Psychiatry, Virginia Commonwealth University